Vivitek D326WX DLP Video Projector - Product Review and Rating

At an MSRP of $1,199, the Vivitek D326WX DLP Video Projector projector is a great value. With its extremely compact design this projector can be placed just about anywhere, and with its included carrying case, can be taken with you to the office or grandma's house. With its native 1280x800 native pixel resolution and impressive 2,600 lumen output capability, the video quality is very good. Flesh tones and overall color saturation produce a very natural looking image. The D326WX also has a very quick turn-on and shut off time. For more specifics, read the rest of this review.

Vivitek D326WX features include:

1. DLP Video Projector with 2,600 Lumens of light output and 1280x800 (approx - 720p) Native Pixel Resolution.

2. Image size range: 39 to 295 inches - adds flexibility for both small and large screen sizes and room environments.

3. Native 16x9 Screen Aspect Ratio. The D326WX can also accommodate standard 4x3 aspect ratio sources. The 16x9 aspect ratio is desirable for widescreen films and HD sources. The aspect ratio can be adjusted to 4x3 for projection of material shot in the 4x3 format.

4. 2500:1 Contrast Ratio. 200 Watt Lamp and 4000 Hour Lamp Life (Eco-Mode).

5. BrilliantColor™ technology with 5-segment color wheel (R,G,B,Y,W).

6. HDMI, VGA, Component (via Component to VGA Adapter Cable), S-Video, and Composite Video inputs. Any standard video source, except RF sources, can be connected to this projector.

7. Compatible with input resolutions up to 1080i. NTSC/PAL Compatible. All sources scaled to 720p for screen display.

8. Manual Zoom and Focus controls. On-screen menu system for other functions. Credit card size wireless remote control provided.

9. Automatic video input Detection - Manual video input selection also available via remote control or buttons on projector.

10. Dimensions: 8.66 x 7.0 x 2.8 inches - Weight: 3.2 lbs - AC Power: 100-240V, 50/60Hz.

For a closer look at the features and functions of the D326WX, also check out my Vivitek D326WX Photo Gallery.

The Vivitek D326WX is easy to set up and use.

After setting up a screen (size of your choosing), position the unit on a table or rack at the optimal distance from the screen or white wall(your choosing). Note: The D326WX does not have a ceiling mount option.

Starting up the projector is easy. First, plug in your source (such as a DVD, Blu-ray, or HD-DVD player) to the proper video input on the back of the projector. Then, plug in the power cord and turn on the power using the button on the top of the projector or the remote. It takes about 30 seconds or so until you see the Vivitek logo projected on your screen, at which time you are set to go.

At this point, you can raise or lower the front of the projector using the adjustable foot, and you can also adjust the image angle on the projection screen, or white wall, using the Keystone correction function via the onscreen menu navigation buttons on the the top of the projector, or on the remote control. You can also use the manual zoom control to get the image to fill the screen properly. After this, you can use the manual focus control to sharpen your image.

The Vivitek D326WX will search for the input of the source that is active. You also access the source inputs manually via the controls on the projector, or via the wireless remote control.

Additional components used in the review of the included:

1. Outlaw Audio Model 950 Preamp/Surround Processor paired with a Butler Audio 5150 5-channel power amplifier. Crown 2-channel amplifier used for Surround Back Channels.

2. Source Components: Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc Player, LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combo player, and an OPPO Digital DV-983H DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Player (HDMI output 1080p/1080i/1080p upscaling).

3. Loudspeakers used: Left, Center, and Main speakers were custom made with Electrovoice drivers, and two KLH powered subwoofers installed under the stage area of the projection room (see photo). Four wall mounted Klipsch S-2 Dipole Surrounds.

4. Connections between components were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

Blu-ray Discs used included scenes from from the following: Across The Universe, Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, Iron Man, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, and The Dark Knight.

HD-DVDs used included Scenes from the following: 300, Batman Begins, Beowulf, Bourne Ultimatum, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, Serenity, and Transformers.

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Moulin Rouge, and V For Vendetta.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take